FESTIVAL OF SUKKOT
This week, our classes focused on the almost-week-long Jewish celebration, Festival of Sukkot!
Facts about the Festival of Sukkot:
- It comes directly after a more somber Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur.
- It is very joyous--a celebration of harvest and faith!
- The palm branch (lulov) and citron (citrus fruit akin to the lemon) hold special significance as part of the celebration
- The "Sukkah" is a fun, fort-like structure that is a nod to the historical significance of temporary shelters that Jewish ancestors lived and dwelled in. During the Festival of Sukkot, it is encouraged that people not only build a sukkah, but also spend as much time as possible in it, eating their meals and potentially even sleeping there!
- Neat facts about the sukkah: it must be "temporary" in nature and made loosely with structures that can be taken apart--no nails, etc. The roof must actually be covered by something that is "cut from the earth" (i.e., palm branches, tree limbs, etc) and allow for patches of stars to be seen through. One of the walls must be removed and covered with a temporary material like cloth to allow for passing. If all of this sounds like a recipe for a child's dream fort, you're right! The building of the sukkah is especially near and dear to the children who celebrate this tradition, and our kiddos loved building them as well as we listened to traditional Jewish music.
We also took some time to sing about pumpkins and talk about the fact that Israel is harvesting gourds like pumpkin and squash around this time of year, as well.
As your child about building our very own "sukkah" with waffle blocks, pretend palm fronts and a cloth door!
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD:
1) Do you know what a "sukkah" is?
2) How can you build one?